WWE Night of Champions: Preview and Predictions

WWE returns to Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions, live from the Jeddah Superdome. So far, the card contains seven matches, with four titles set to be defended. The company is coming off the heels of two wildly successful premium live events and is looking to continue that trend.

WWE Night of Champions aims to continue the successful PLE run

While the shows in Saudi Arabia are polarizing, they are treated like one of the big four PLEs. Night of Champions is no different, as a new World Heavyweight champion will be crowned. Meanwhile, the champion of the past 900-plus days is looking to capture more gold. Who will leave Jeddah on top? Let’s predict the show.

Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus

The challenge has been laid out and two icons from their respective generations are set to do battle. This rivalry has overshadowed the rest of the women’s division, including the champions. Once partners at WrestleMania, Stratus would turn on Lynch, citing a lack of gratitude for her paving the way for the likes of “The Man”.

This will be the first of, hopefully, a series, and not a culmination. Lynch is excellent at secondary feuds outside of the title picture, and Trish is seemingly back full-time as evidenced by the recent draft. Also, when does Lita avenge her attack? Expect Stratus to back up her claims in the ring and win by any means necessary.

Prediction: Trish Stratus wins

Intercontinental Championship – Gunther (c) vs. Mustafa Ali

Gunther will make his first title defense since joining the Raw brand. Mustafa Ali shocked the world becoming the number one contender by winning a battle royal. Ali, for context, has been a punching bag for weeks.

However, this toxic positivity gimmick has given Ali new life. He has always been one of the best workers in the company, just in need of an opportunity. The longest-reigning Intercontinental Champ of the modern era will provide the platform for what will be a gruesome beatdown.

Prediction: Gunther wins, retains the Intercontinental Championship

Raw Women’s Championship – Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka

Belair is set to defend against Asuka in a WrestleMania rematch. Asuka was seemingly out of the picture for some time until returning for Bianca’s record championship celebration in Tennessee. Similar to the WrestleMania build, there is not much here to dissect. Belair has been a victim of “poison mist” twice as fans await Asuka’s complete transition into Kana.

It will be interesting to see if the jeers Belair received in Puerto Rico were just a one-off. It has to be said handing Asuka another loss here is a disservice to whatever is being built for her character-wise. Yet I still expect Belair to get her lick back and retain the title.

Prediction: Bianca Belair retains via DQ

SmackDown Women’s Championship – Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Natalya

Somehow, Ripley is the reigning Smackdown Women’s Champion as a member of the Raw brand. Her challenger is a mainstay in the women’s division and made history performing in Saudi Arabia before. Ripley is on a roll as the most feared competitor in the company, men and women’s division. While she is the breakout star of Judgment Day, she has an empty cabinet of challengers. Nattie had no problem stepping up to the bully, but expect Rhea to be triumphant.

Prediction: Rhea Ripley wins, retains Smackdown Women’s Championship

Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes

The Cody Rhodes story is on hold indefinitely while he deals with a “beast” problem. Brock Lesnar did not take kindly to losing to Rhodes in Puerto Rico, let alone the scars he obtained in that match. The motive for attacking Rhodes on the Raw after ‘Mania is still unclear, though there are tons of rumors swirling around the why.

Whatever the true reason, this only aids the underdog story of Rhodes, who now faces a doctor’s approval to even enter this match. After another attack on Raw, Cody could have a broken arm. After seeing him wrestle with a torn pec in Hell in a Cell, I doubt he will obey medical orders. Cody will show the ultimate heart in facing Lesnar at less than 100 percent, but Lesnar will take another pound of flesh and even the series.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar wins

Undisputed Tag Team Championship – Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens (c) vs. Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa

Just when you think the Bloodline saga is losing steam, they surprise us again. The Usos lost the Undisputed tag titles at WrestleMania and weren’t victorious in their rematch. Enter Roman Reigns, who is tired of the existent “Sami Zayn problem” and had all but exiled his cousins from the group.

In all honesty, all parties involved need this matchup. Zayn and Owens’ momentum since capturing the gold has been hit or miss, as they haven’t really engaged with the rest of the tag division. Meanwhile, Reigns is set to hit 1,000 days as champion and is void of any challengers or threats to his championships, which is alienating at best.

The real wild card here is Solo Sikoa, who is being built as the biggest threat in the entire Bloodline. Sikoa has shown friction with his brothers and even Reigns recently. Many fans clamor for Jey Uso to end the Reigns title run, but why not Sikoa? The storyline has so many layers that it’s inconceivable that it will be over any time soon.

Taking the belts of Owens and Zayn will seem like an admission of failure, but Reigns hasn’t been pinned in years. Sikoa, thus far, has taken only one pinfall loss on the main roster, it was to Cody Rhodes. It’s also important to note this will be Zayn’s first time competing in Saudi Arabia since a 2014 live show, due to the previous strained relationships with Syria that are now re-established.

A big moment would be for Zayn to pick up a pinfall on Sikoa to further the tensions inside of the Bloodline. With, of course, the Usos having some involvement in the decision.

Prediction: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn win, retain Undisputed Tag Team Championships

World Heavyweight Championship – Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles

The finals of the World Heavyweight Championship tournament produced two challengers that have been at the top of the company at different times. On paper, this could be the match of the night, but everything surrounding it cheapens the eventual result.

Despite the WWE recently reviving the past relevance of this title, it feels like a participation trophy. Even Styles recently spoke on a podcast about the title feeling like a consolation prize. No matter how good this match is, the winner will still be viewed as the champion that couldn’t beat Roman.

Now, you cannot deny the greatness of Reigns, but that’s just not fair to either of these superstars. This build has been respectful, with neither challenger engaging with the other physically. Styles recently returned from injury, so strapping him up so soon seems implausible. So, that lends to the idea that this title was created specifically for Seth Rollins, whose run and fandom over the past year have been undeniable.

If that’s the case, it is completely deserved, as Rollins was a clear MVP in 2022. Rollins has also been vocal about Reigns’ title run in and outside of character, so another showdown between the two is very likely in the future. Legitimizing this title will be an uphill climb in every facet, which is why you crown one of the hottest acts in the company.

Prediction: Seth Rollins wins, becomes the new World Heavyweight Champion